Aerosol Generation Device Comprising a Finishing Element and Associated Assembly Method

ABSTRACT

An aerosol generation device includes a bracket, a plurality of internal components fixed on the bracket and an outside casing delimiting an interior part of the device and having a side surface extending along a device axis and defining a fixation slot extending along this surface between two slot ends, the bracket being received in the interior part of the device by sliding through an insertion opening of the outside casing. The device further includes a finishing element configured to be inserted into the fixation slot and having two fixing ends and a flat portion extending between the fixing ends, the fixing ends protruding from the flat portion and being configured to cooperate with the bracket to retain it inside the interior part of the device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an aerosol generation device comprising a finishing element.

The present invention also concerns an assembly method of such an aerosol generation device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Different types of aerosol generation devices are already known in the art. Generally, such devices comprise a storage portion for storing an aerosol forming precursor, which can comprise for example a liquid or a solid. A heating system is formed of one or more electrically activated resistive heating elements arranged to heat said precursor to generate the aerosol. The aerosol is released into a flow path extending between an inlet and outlet of the device. The outlet may be arranged as a mouthpiece, through which a user inhales for delivery of the aerosol.

In some aerosol generation devices, the precursor is stored in a removable cartridge. Thus, when the precursor is consumed, the cartridge can be easily removed and replaced. In order to attach the removable cartridge to the device body, a screw-threaded connection can for example be used.

The operation of an aerosol generation device is carried out at least partially by its internal components comprising notably a battery, a printed circuit board and at least a part of the heating system connected to the battery through the circuit board. The internal components may be mounted on a bracket, also called chassis, which is inserted into an outside casing. The outside casing ensures the external design of the device and is handled by the user while operating the aerosol generation device. It protects the internal components of the device against external influence as well as the user against eventual internal problems as for example overheating or battery problems.

One can conceive that it is important to fix the bracket with mounted internal components inside the outside casing. According to the art, it can be done using pins positioned on opposite sides of the outside casing and traversing it to retain the bracket. It can also be done using for example screws or other fixing elements. However, such fixing elements may have a strong visual impact on the external design of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the aims of the present invention is to propose an aerosol generation device comprising an outside casing and a bracket where the visual impact due to the fixation the bracket inside the outside casing is minimized.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an aerosol generation device, comprising:

-   -   a bracket;     -   a plurality of internal components fixed on the bracket;     -   an outside casing delimiting an interior part of the device and         comprising a side surface extending along a device axis and         defining a fixation slot extending along this surface between         two slot ends the bracket being received in the interior part of         the device by sliding through an insertion opening of the         outside casing, the insertion opening extending perpendicularly         to the device axis;     -   a finishing element configured to be inserted into the fixation         slot and comprising two fixing ends and a flat portion extending         between the fixing ends, the fixing ends protruding from the         flat portion and being configured to cooperate with the bracket         to retain it inside the interior part of the device when the         finishing element is inserted into the fixation slot.

Indeed, using these features and notably the finishing element arranged only on one side of the outside casing, it is possible to fix the bracket inside the outside casing while minimizing the visual impact of the fixation. Particularly, using the finishing element provided with two fixing ends cooperating with the bracket, it is possible to retain the bracket inside the outside casing using a unique fixation slot arranged on the side surface of the outside casing. For example, using such a finishing element, it is not necessary to provide openings on two opposite sides of the outside casing for fixing the bracket by means extending through these openings and the bracket. Thus, it is possible to minimize the visual impact of fixing means.

According to some embodiments, the outside casing is made of a single piece.

Thanks to these features, it is possible to improve the device design as well as touch sensations of the user.

According to some embodiments, the fixation slot extends along the device axis.

Thanks to these features, it is possible to fix the bracket inside the outside casing along the device axis.

According to some embodiments, the fixation slot forms a unique opening on the side surface of the outside casing.

Thanks to these features, the visual impact of fixing elements can be further reduced.

According to some embodiments, the finishing element is configured to form a smooth surface with the side surface of the outside casing when it is inserted into the fixation slot.

According to some embodiments, the side surface of the outside casing forms a chamfer at each slot end and the finishing element forms an inclined edge between the flat portion and each of the fixing ends, each inclined edge being configured to cooperate with the corresponding chamfer when the finishing element is inserted into the fixation slot.

Thanks to these features, it is possible to minimize the impact of the fixation on the user's touch sensations.

According to some embodiments, each fixing end of the finishing element is formed by a locking tooth configured to abut a part of the bracket against the outside casing when the finishing element is inserted into the fixation slot.

Thanks to these features, the bracket can be fixed in respect with the outside casing at least at two different points.

According to some embodiments, by cooperating with the corresponding chamfer, each inclined edge is configured to press the outside casing and the corresponding part of the bracket against the corresponding locking tooth when the finishing element is inserted into the fixation slot.

According to some embodiments, one of the locking teeth is a rigid locking tooth designed to be inserted into the fixation slot in the first place and the other locking tooth is a flexible locking tooth designed to be inserted into the fixation slot in the second place.

Thanks to these features, the finishing element can be easily inserted into the fixation slot.

According to some embodiments, the finishing element forms a peg hole between the flat portion and one of the fixing ends or between the flat portion and an edge delimiting the fixation slot.

According to some embodiments, a peg designed to be inserted into the peg hole when the finishing element is inserted into the fixation slot, to retain the finishing element into the fixation slot.

Thanks to these features, the finishing element can be fixed in the fixation slot.

According to some embodiments, at least one internal component corresponds to a printed circuit board comprising a protruding element arranged on this board facing said hole when the finishing element is inserted into the fixation slot.

According to some embodiments, the protruding element is a LED.

According to some embodiments, the peg is made of at least partially transparent material.

Thanks to these features, it is possible to use an exterior indicator in combination with the finishing element.

The invention also relates to an assembly method comprising the following steps:

-   -   fix the plurality of internal components on the bracket;     -   insert the bracket into the interior part of the device by         sliding it through the insertion opening;     -   insert the finishing element into the fixation slot to retain         the bracket in the interior part of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is given solely by way of non-limiting example and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generation according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the aerosol generation device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a part of the aerosol generation device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the aerosol generation device according to plane IV of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a zoom view of detail V of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is a zoom view of detail VI of FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating one of the steps of an assembly method of the aerosol generation device of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the invention, it is to be understood that it is not limited to the details of construction set forth in the following description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

As used herein, the term “aerosol generation device” or “device” may include a vaping device to deliver an aerosol to a user, including an aerosol for vaping, by means of aerosol generating unit (e.g. an aerosol generating element which generates vapor which condenses into an aerosol before delivery to an outlet of the device at, for example, a mouthpiece, for inhalation by a user). The device may be portable. “Portable” may refer to the device being for use when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, e.g. by activating a heater system for a variable amount of time (as opposed to a metered dose of aerosol), which can be controlled by a trigger. The trigger may be user activated, such as a vaping button and/or inhalation sensor. The inhalation sensor may be sensitive to the strength of inhalation as well as the duration of inhalation to enable a variable amount of vapor to be provided (so as to mimic the effect of smoking a conventional combustible smoking article such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, etc.). The device may include a temperature regulation control to drive the temperature of the heater and/or the heated aerosol generating substance (aerosol pre-cursor) to a specified target temperature and thereafter to maintain the temperature at the target temperature that enables efficient generation of aerosol.

As used herein, the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of precursor as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapor. Aerosol may include one or more components of the precursor.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming precursor” or “precursor” or “aerosol-forming substance” or “substance” or “vaporizable material” is used to designate any material that is vaporizable in air to form aerosol. Vaporisation is generally obtained by a temperature increase up to the boiling point of the vaporization material, such as at a temperature up to 400° C., preferably up to 350° C. The vaporizable material may, for example, comprise or consist of an aerosol-generating liquid, gel, or wax or the like or an aerosol—generating solid that may be in the form of a rod, which contains processed tobacco material, a crimped sheet or oriented strips of reconstituted tobacco (RTB), or any combination of these. The vaporizable material may comprise one or more of: nicotine; caffeine or other active components. The active component may be carried with a carrier, which may be a liquid. The carrier may include propylene glycol or glycerin. A flavoring may also be present. The flavoring may include Ethylvanillin (vanilla), menthol, Isoamyl acetate (banana oil) or similar.

An aerosol generation device 10 according to the invention is showed on FIG. 1 . In the example of this FIG. 1 , the aerosol generation device 10 is designed to operate with a removable cartridge 12 which it is received in a payload compartment 14 visible on FIG. 4 . The cartridge 12 comprises a precursor storage portion able to store a precursor and at least a heater able to heat the precursor to generate aerosol. The aerosol is evacuated through a flow outlet 16 arranged on a mouthpiece 18 of the cartridge 12 as it is showed on FIG. 1 . The heater of the cartridge 12 is connected to a power source of the device 10 through a pair of contacts arranged in both cartridge 12 and aerosol generation device 10. A pair of contacts 19 arranged in the payload compartment 14 of the device 10 is showed on FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 . According to other embodiments of the invention, the payload compartment 14 defines a fixed, in respect to the device 10, precursor storage portion. In this case, the precursor storage portion can for example be refilled with a precursor.

The aerosol generation device 10 extends along an axis X called hereinafter device axis X. Referring to FIG. 2 , the aerosol generation device 10 comprises a plurality of internal components 22, a bracket 24 configured to support the internal components 22, an outside casing 26 configured to receive the bracket 24 with the internal components 22 and fixing means 28 configured to fix the bracket 24 with the internal components 22 inside the outside casing 26.

The internal components 22 comprise notably a battery 32, a printed circuit board 34 and the pair of contacts 19 as explained above. The battery 32 is for example a rechargeable lithium-ion battery known in the art. The printed circuit board 34 comprises a plurality of electronic components configured to control the operation of the aerosol generation device 10. Particularly, the printed circuit board 34 comprises a controller 35 configured to control for example a voltage provided by the battery 32 on the pair of contacts 19 and at least one protruding element 36 protruding from the printed circuit board 34. The protruding element 36 may present an indicator such a LED used to indicate with a light at least one operation mode of the device 10 and controlled by the controller 35. In other embodiments, the protruding element 36 may present a switch or a switch combined with a LED used to control at least one operation mode of the device 10. The internal components 22 may also comprise a capacitive panel 37 connected to the controller 35 and used to control the operation of the device 10. Particularly, the capacitive panel 37 is able to ensure a capacitive touch function of the device 10.

In the example of FIG. 2 , the bracket 24 is composed of a main part 42 and a fixing part 44. According to other examples, the bracket 24 may be made of a single piece. The main part 42 of the bracket 24 defines, successively arranged along the device axis X, a contacts cavity 45 able to receive the pair of contacts 19, a battery compartment 46 able to receive the battery 32 and a circuit compartment 47 able to receive the printed circuit board 34. Particularly, the circuit compartment 47 is configured to receive and fix the printed circuit board 34 parallel to the device axis X so as when the bracket 24 is received into the outside casing 26, the printed circuit board 34 is arranged approximately in the middle of the internal part of the outside casing 26 in respect with a first transverse axis Z perpendicular to the device axis X as it is showed on FIG. 4 .

The fixing part 44 of the bracket 24 is configured to be mounted onto the main part 42 of the bracket to fix at least some of the internal components 22 in the main part 42. As it is showed on FIG. 3 , the fixing part 44 comprises a longitudinal component 51 extending along the device axis X and a transverse component 52 extending according to an approximately circular arc along a second transverse axis Y perpendicular to the device axis X and the first transverse axis Z. The transverse component 52 is intended to be interposed between the battery compartment 46 and an internal surface of the outside casing 26 when the bracket 24 is inserted into the outside casing 26. On each of its extremities, the transverse component 52 defines a fixation element able to cooperate with a corresponding fixation element of the main part 42 of the bracket 24 to fix the fixing part 44 on the main part 42. The fixation element of the fixing part 44 may for example be formed by a hole and the corresponding fixation element of the main part 42 may for example be formed by a screw and a hole. Thus, the screw can be screwed in both holes to fix the fixing part 44 on the main part 42.

The longitudinal component 51 extends between the battery compartment 46 and the circuit compartment 47 when the fixing part 44 is fixed on the main part 42. Particularly, in such a position, the longitudinal component 51 extends for example from at least % of the battery compartment's length according to the device axis X to at least ¾ of the circuit compartment's length according to the device axis X. On each of its extremities, the longitudinal component 51 of the fixing part 44 defines a fixing hole 53, 54 configured to cooperate with the fixing means 28 as it will be explained in further detail below. Additionally, on the extremity facing the circuit compartment 47 when the fixing part 44 is mounted onto the main part 42, the longitudinal component 51 also defines a circular hole 56 facing the protruding element 36 when the printed circuit board 34 is received into the circuit compartment 47. The longitudinal component 51 may also define a recess part 55 extending along the device axis X and configured to receive the capacitive panel 37.

The outside casing 26 extends along the device axis X and delimits an interior part of the device 10 able to receive notably the bracket 24 with the internal components 22 through an insertion opening 60 extending perpendicularly to the device axis X, as it is showed on FIG. 2 . The outside casing 26 comprises a side surface 61 extending along the device axis X and defining a fixation slot 62 extending between two slot ends 63, 64, for example also along the device axis X. The fixation slot 62 is configured to receive the fixing means 28 as it will be explained below and defines for this purpose a chamfer on at least each slot end 63, 64 as it is showed on FIG. 5 and on FIG. 6 . According to one embodiment of the invention, the whole edge delimiting the fixation slot 62 may present a chamfer.

Advantageously according to the invention, the fixation slot 62 forms a unique opening on the side surface 61 of the outside casing 26. Additionally, the outside casing 26 can be made of a single piece, from for example a metallic material. Finally, the extremity of the outside casing 26 opposite to the insertion opening 60 may be sealed or form charging openings or pins usable to charge the battery 32 from an external power source.

The fixing means 28 comprise a finishing element 70 and a peg 71. The finishing element 70 is configured to be inserted into the fixation slot 62 to fix the bracket 24 into the outside casing 26. Particularly, the shape of the finishing element 70 is complementary to the fixation slot 62 and the finishing element 70 is configured to form a smooth surface with the side surface 61 of the outside casing 26 when it is inserted into the fixation slot 62.

As it showed on FIG. 3 , the finishing element 70 comprises two fixing ends 73, 74 and a flat portion 75 extending between these fixing ends 73, 74, along the device axis X when the finishing element 70 is inserted into the fixation slot 62. The finishing element 70 forms also a peg hole 76 arranged between the flat portion 75 and the fixing end 74. This peg hole 76 is intended to face the circular hole 56 of the fixing part 44 of the bracket 24 and is configured to receive the peg 71. In variant, the peg hole 76 is formed between the flat portion 75 and an edge delimiting the fixation slot 62 when the finishing element 70 is received into the fixation slot 62. Additionally, the finishing element 70 forms an inclined edge 83, 84 arranged between the flat portion 75 and each of the fixing ends 73, 74. Each inclined edge 83, 84 is configured to cooperate with the corresponding chamfer of the fixation slot 62 when the finishing element 70 is inserted into the fixation slot 62. Thus, by cooperating with the corresponding chamfer, each inclined edge 83, 84 is configured to press the outside casing 26 and the corresponding part 44 of the bracket against the corresponding fixing end 73, 74. The inclined edges 83, 84 are visible respectfully on FIG. 5 and on FIG. 6 .

The fixing ends 73, 74 protrude from the flat portion 75 and are configured to cooperate with the bracket 24 to retain it inside the interior part of the device 10 when the finishing element 70 is inserted into the fixation slot 62. Particularly, each fixing end 73, 74 is configured to cooperate with the fixing hole, respectfully 53, 54, of the fixing part 44 of the bracket 24. For this purpose, each fixing end 73, 74 is formed by a locking tooth configured to abut the fixing part 44 of the bracket 24 against the outside casing 62 when the finishing element 70 is inserted into the fixation slot 62, as it is showed on FIG. 5 et FIG. 6 . Advantageously, according to the invention, one of the locking teeth 73, 74, for example the locking tooth 73, is a rigid locking tooth designed to be inserted into the fixation slot 62 in the first place and the other locking tooth, i.e. the locking tooth 74, is a flexible locking tooth designed to be inserted into the fixation slot 62 in the second place. The length of the rigid locking tooth 73 according to the device axis X may be greater than the length of the flexible locking tooth 74 according to the same device axis X, when the finishing element 70 is inserted into the fixation slot 62.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the finishing element 70 is made of a material having a high dielectric constant. In other words, the material of the finishing element 70 is chosen to allow detecting by the capacitive panel 37 touch movements exerted by a user on an external surface of the finishing element 70 when the capacitive panel 37 is interposed between the fixing part 44 of the bracket 24 and the finishing element 70. Such a material is for example chosen in the group comprising: polyester (PET), polycarbonate (PC), acrylic (PMMA) and tempered glass.

The peg 71 is designed to fix the finishing element 70 inside the fixation slot 62. For this purpose, the peg 71 is designed to cross the peg hole 76 formed in the finishing element 70 and the circular hole 56 formed in the fixing part 44 of the bracket 24 to come in contact with the protruding element 36 as it is showed on FIG. 6 . Thus, the length of the peg 71 according to the first transverse axis Z is adapted to the depth of the cavity formed by the holes 56, 76 and the protruding element 36. The peg 71 may present a cylindrical shape extending according to the first transverse axis Z. The peg 71 may be formed of a flexible material which may be compressed to be inserted in the holes 56, 76 and upon its insertion, extends to lock the finishing element 70 and the bracket 24 in respect with the outside casing 26. Additionally, when the protruding element 36 comprises a LED, the peg 71 is made of at least partially transparent material to guide the light emitted by the LED to the exterior part of the outside casing 26.

An assembly method of the aerosol generation device 10 according to the invention will now be explained. At the initial step, the internal components 22 are fixed on the bracket 24. Particularly, according to the example of FIG. 2 , the pair of contacts 19 is inserted into the contact cavity 45, the battery 32 is inserted into the battery compartment 46 and the printed circuit board 34 is inserted into the circuit compartment 47 of the main part 42 of the bracket 24. Then, the fixing part 44 is fixed on the main part 42 of the bracket 24. Finally, the capacitive panel 37 is inserted into the recess part 55 of the fixing part 44 of the bracket. At the next step, the bracket 24 with the mounted internal components 22 is slid into the outside casing through the insertion opening 60. In this position, the fixing holes 53, 54 and the circular hole 56 face the fixation slot 62. At the next step, the finishing element 70 is inserted into the fixation slot 62 to retain the bracket 24 in the interior part of device 10. This step comprises three sub-steps showed on FIG. 7 . During sub-step A, the finishing element 70 faces the fixation slot 62 and its fixing end 73 is inserted into the fixing hole 53. During sub-step B, the other fixing end 74 is inserted into the fixing hole 54 by flexing slightly this fixing end 74 and eventually, the flat portion 75. During sub-step C, the peg 71 is inserted into the peg hole 76 to retain the finishing element 70 into the fixation slot 62. Thus, the bracket 24 is locked inside the outside casing 26 according the device axis X using the finishing element 70. 

1. An aerosol generation device, comprising: a bracket; a plurality of internal components fixed on the bracket; an outside casing delimiting an interior part of the device and comprising a side surface extending along a device axis and defining a fixation slot extending along the side surface between two slot ends the bracket being received in the interior part of the device by sliding through an insertion opening of the outside casing, the insertion opening extending perpendicularly to the device axis; a finishing element configured to be inserted into the fixation slot and comprising two fixing ends and a flat portion extending between the fixing ends, the fixing ends protruding from the flat portion and being configured to cooperate with the bracket to retain the flat portion inside the interior part of the device when the finishing element is inserted into the fixation slot.
 2. The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the outside casing is made of a single piece.
 3. The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the fixation slot extends along the device axis.
 4. The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the fixation slot forms a unique opening on the side surface of the outside casing.
 5. The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the finishing element is configured to form a smooth surface with the side surface of the outside casing when the finishing element is inserted into the fixation slot.
 6. The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein: the side surface of the outside casing forms a chamfer at each slot end; the finishing element forms an inclined edge between the flat portion and each of the fixing ends, each inclined edge being configured to cooperate with the corresponding chamfer when the finishing element is inserted into the fixation slot.
 7. The aerosol generation device according to claim 6, wherein each fixing end of the finishing element is formed by a locking tooth configured to abut a part of the bracket against the outside casing when the finishing element is inserted into the fixation slot.
 8. The aerosol generation device according to claim 7, wherein, by cooperating with the corresponding chamfer, each inclined edge is configured to press the outside casing and the corresponding part of the bracket against the corresponding locking tooth when the finishing element is inserted into the fixation slot.
 9. The aerosol generation device according to claim 7, wherein one of the locking teeth is a rigid locking tooth designed to be inserted into the fixation slot in a first place and the other locking tooth is a flexible locking tooth designed to be inserted into the fixation slot in a second place.
 10. The aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the finishing element forms a peg hole between the flat portion and one of the fixing ends or between the flat portion and an edge delimiting the fixation slot.
 11. The aerosol generation device according to claim 10, further comprising a peg configured to be inserted into the peg hole when the finishing element is inserted into the fixation slot, to retain the finishing element into the fixation slot.
 12. The aerosol generation device according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of internal components corresponds to a printed circuit board comprising a protruding element arranged on the printed circuit board facing the peg hole when the finishing element is inserted into the fixation slot.
 13. The aerosol generation device according to claim 12, wherein the protruding element is a LED.
 14. The aerosol generation device according to claim 11, wherein the peg is made of at least partially transparent material.
 15. An assembly method of the aerosol generation device according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: fixing the plurality of internal components on the bracket; inserting the bracket into the interior part of the device by sliding the bracket through the insertion opening; inserting the finishing element into the fixation slot to retain the bracket in the interior part of the device. 